Tuesday, April 26, 2011

Holding Patterns Have Never Been so Easy...

How do you enter a holding pattern?

The reason Evergreen hired me with low time was I knew the answer to this question. Well there was more to it than that, but they did give me a simulator check to see if I "could fly" and the results ended ended with the fact that I also knew how to enter and exit a holding pattern.

The night before the check Bo Corby taught me how to do this amazing feat, without the use of my thumbs. Most pilots were sticking their thumbs up like painting a masterpiece... angling left, then right, or drawing pictures to figure out how to enter.

How do we enter a holding pattern in the A330?

Answer: With a finger.

I suppose you could use your thumb, but it wouldn't be as graceful as using a pointer finger. Unless of course you're feeling a bit overwhelmed, overworked, or perhaps not happy with the way the check airman is conducting the simulator session, and then you could use the finger of your choice.

The point is, we now enter the holding patter in the MCDU with a press of a button, or two, and the plane does all the work.

Easy as 1, 2, 3...

Select lateral Nav (left side) on the location you want to hold over.

If a holding pattern exists, cross check the hold displayed in the MCDU with the holding pattern on your chart. Edit as necessary.

We have the ability to edit direction of turn, time, distance, and the course, as necessary.

Holding Speeds:

If using managed speed, airspeed will be that for the current flap configuration (Green dot, S or F)

If approaching the holding pattern in "selected" speed, and more than 5 knots different from computed hold speed, "SET HOLD SPEED" will be displayed on the PFD.

Predictions:

LAST EXIT values for UTC and FUEL

Latest time to exit the hold.

Least amount of fuel on board to exit with alternate, reserve, and extra time.

Deleting the holding pattern:

Prior to entering the hold: Clear the HOLD R or HOLD L waypoint.

Prior to entering or during the hold, an IMM EXIT prompt is displayed. Immediate exit.

At anytime when you proceed direct to a waypoint.

Selecting IMM:

Prior to entering hold: Plane continues on flight plan.

While in hold: Flight returns immediately to holding fix, then continues on flight plan. Holding pattern is erased after crossing fix.

When selected, IMM is replaced with Resume hold prompt.

The moral of this story... holding is easy in the electronic plane. No need to kill perfectly good brain cells when you don't have to. But, for those who are learning to fly... get your thumbs out! Also a great technique to build hours.

Commercial/Instrument pilots in training... or anyone getting ready for a simulator check... if you want to know the easiest way to enter a holding pattern, let me know. If there's enough interest... I will share my secret. :)

8 comments:

So interesting to learn about this kind of thing. It's making me think that the gap between flying big commercial planes and little puddle jumpers must be widening to the point that it's two different animals altogether!